Press Release
December 3, 2020
Today, U.S. Ambassador Lynda Blanchard and Minister of Education, Science and Sport for the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Simona Kustec, invited a new generation of students to join a thriving international community of citizen scientists through the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program. Conducting the ceremony virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Blanchard and Minister Kustec were joined virtually by Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment, and Science, Jonathan Moore, Dr. Allison Leidner, GLOBE Program Manager for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth Science Division, Science Mission Directorate and Dr. Tony Murphy, Globe Implementation Office (GIO), which manages and operates the program in more than 120 countries around the world.
Ambassador Blanchard warmly welcomed Slovenia to the program. “As we continue to wage the relentless global battle against COVID-19, we’re reminded daily of the immense value of scientific research and collaboration. And that there is no better time than the present to continue strengthening our deep scientific ties by welcoming Slovenia to this vibrant, global community. This program will expand our collaboration to the youngest scientists in our societies, enriching the learning experience of every student with the knowledge that they’re part of a larger, more connected worldwide effort.”
The GLOBE program is a dynamic science and education program sponsored by NASA with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Department of State. Through GLOBE, citizen scientists and students from kindergarten through college help scientists collect data to improve understanding of the environment.
Minister Kustec thanked the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia and NASA for all their endeavors since 2017 in working with Slovenia to join the GLOBE Program. “It is our great pleasure that Slovenian children, teens and students will now be able to join their peers in 120 countries from all over the world, be able to collect data and samples, and – hopefully – contribute to solving pressing environmental issues. With Slovenia joining the GLOBE Program we are enhancing important values: curiosity, environmental awareness and interest in science. Nevertheless, most importantly, we are enhancing the value of collaboration. With the GLOBE Program, we jointly provide this new, exciting opportunity for youth to attain new global collaborations and we further longstanding and excellent scientific collaboration between our two countries,” highlighted Minister Kustec.
Tens of thousands of GLOBE-trained teachers across the world have used this collaborative program to improve students’ science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) skills, raise environmental awareness, and foster regional and international linkages through hands-on, interdisciplinary activities focused on collecting and sharing scientific data. Since 1995,GLOBE students have contributed over 190 million measurements to the GLOBE database for use in their inquiry-based science projects.
“NASA is very pleased to welcome Slovenia to GLOBE, an international science and education program connecting students, teachers and scientists. For 25 years, GLOBE has promoted the teaching and learning of science, environmental leadership and stewardship, and scientific discovery. We look forward to Slovenian students, educators, researchers and citizen scientists joining GLOBE members in over 120 countries and our shared efforts to research, understanding and sustain our planet,” said Dr. Leidner.
In Slovenia, this program will be managed by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport and operated by the Center for School and Outdoor Education (CŠOD). Schools interested in participating in the GLOBE program should contact the CŠOD directly. As the lead agency for GLOBE in the U.S., NASA has the primary responsibility for management of the GLOBE Implementation Office (GIO) and the data and information systems that support the worldwide implementation. For more information about the GLOBE program, please visit www.globe.gov. For inquiries to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, please contact smeu.mizs@gov.si.
